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Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which malignant (cancer)
cells form in the lining of the chest or abdomen.
Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which
malignant (cancer)
cells
are found in the
pleura (the thin layer of
tissue that lines the chest cavity and covers the
lungs)
or the
peritoneum (the thin layer of tissue that lines the
abdomen and covers most of the
organs in the abdomen). This summary is about malignant
mesothelioma of the pleura.
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The
problem with mesothelioma is that it grows in a space, and
it spreads as a sheet of cells covering a bunch of organs in
your chest. Because it touches big blood vessels, it touches
the heart sac, it touches the lung, it touches the ribs, it
touches everything, you can't possibly take it out like you
can with a nodule. That makes treatment of it and the
extensive nature of it quite challenging.
Dr. Robert Cameron, in his
testimony in the Albert
Bercher vs. ALFA LAVAL, INC., et al. Wednesday,
September 13, 2006. For the County of
Los Angeles, Department 53. |
Being
exposed to asbestos can affect the risk of developing malignant
mesothelioma.
Many people with malignant
mesothelioma have worked or lived in places where they
inhaled or swallowed
asbestos. After being exposed to asbestos, it usually takes a
long time for malignant mesothelioma to occur.
Possible signs of malignant mesothelioma include shortness of breath
and pain under the rib cage.
Sometimes the cancer causes
fluid to collect around the lung or in the abdomen. These
symptoms may be caused by the fluid or malignant mesothelioma.
Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be
consulted if any of the following problems occur:
Tests
that examine the inside of the chest and abdomen are used to detect
(find) and diagnose malignant mesothelioma.
Sometimes it is hard to tell the
difference between malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer. The
following tests and procedures may be used:
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Physical exam and history: An exam of the body to check
general signs of health, including checking for signs of
disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A
history of the patient’s health habits, exposure to asbestos,
past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.
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Chest x-ray: An
x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray is
a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto
film, making a picture of areas inside the body.
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Complete blood count (CBC): A procedure in which a sample of
blood is drawn and checked for the following:
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Sedimentation rate: A procedure in which a sample of blood
is drawn and checked for the rate at which the red blood cells
settle to the bottom of the test tube.
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Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues from the pleura or
peritoneum so they can be viewed under a microscope by a
pathologist to check for signs of cancer. Procedures used to
collect the cells or tissues include the following:
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Fine-needle aspiration biopsy: The removal of part of a
lump, suspicious tissue, or fluid, using a thin needle. This
procedure is also called a needle biopsy.
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Thoracoscopy: An
incision (cut) is made between two ribs and a
thoracoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted into the
chest.
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Peritoneoscopy: An incision (cut) is made in the
abdominal wall and a peritoneoscope (a thin, lighted
tube) is inserted into the abdomen.
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Laparotomy: An incision (cut) is made in the wall of the
abdomen to check the inside of the abdomen for signs of
disease.
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Thoracotomy: An incision (cut) is made between two ribs
to check inside the chest for signs of disease.
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Bronchoscopy: A procedure to look inside the
trachea and large airways in the lung for
abnormal areas. A
bronchoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted through the
nose or mouth into the trachea and lungs. Tissue samples may be
taken for biopsy.
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Cytologic exam: An exam of cells under a microscope (by a
pathologist) to check for anything abnormal. For mesothelioma,
fluid is taken from around the lungs or from the abdomen. A
pathologist checks the cells in the fluid.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment
options.
The
prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on
the following:
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The
stage of the cancer.
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The
size of the
tumor.
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Whether the tumor can be removed completely by
surgery.
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The
amount of fluid in the chest or abdomen.
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The
patient's age and general health, including lung and heart
health.
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The
type of mesothelioma cancer cells and how they look under a
microscope.
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Whether the cancer has just been
diagnosed or has
recurred (come back).
abdomen
(AB-do-men) - The area of the body that contains the pancreas,
stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs
abnormal -
Not normal. An abnormal lesion or growth may be cancerous,
pre-malignant (likely to become cancer),
or benign
asbestos
(as-BES-tus) - A natural material that is made of tiny fibers.
Asbestos can cause several serious diseases, including cancer
biopsy
(BY-op-see) - The removal of cells or tissues for examination by a
pathologist. The pathologist may study the tissue under a microscope
or perform other tests on the cells or tissue. When only a sample of
tissue is removed, the procedure is called an incisional biopsy.
When an entire lump or suspicious area is removed, the procedure is
called an excisional biopsy. When a sample of tissue or fluid is
removed with a needle, the procedure is called a needle biopsy, core
biopsy, or fine-needle aspiration.
blood -
A tissue with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and
other substances suspended in fluid called plasma. Blood takes
oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and carries away wastes.
bronchoscope
(BRON-ko-skope) - A thin, lighted tube used to examine the inside of
the trachea and bronchi, the air passages that lead to the lungs
bronchoscopy
(bron-KOS-ko-pee) - A procedure in which a thin, lighted tube is
inserted through the nose or mouth. This allows examination of the
inside of the trachea and bronchi (air passages that lead to the
lung), as well as the lung. Bronchoscopy may be used to detect
cancer or to perform some treatment procedures.
cancer -
A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without
control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread
through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the
body. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is cancer
that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal
organs. Sarcoma is cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat,
muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue.
Leukemia is cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the
bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be
produced and enter the bloodstream. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma
are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system.
cell
- The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body.
All living things are made up of one or more cells
chest x-ray
- An x-ray of the structures inside the chest. An x-ray is a
type of high-energy radiation that can go through the body and onto
film, making pictures of areas inside the chest, which can be used
to diagnose disease.
complete blood count - CBC. A test to check the
number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a
sample of blood. Also called blood cell count
cytology -
The study of cells using a microscope
diagnosis
- The process of identifying a disease by the signs and
symptoms
fine-needle aspiration (as-per-AY-shun) - The removal
of tissue or fluid with a needle for examination under a microscope.
Also called needle biopsy
fluid –
Liquid
hemoglobin
(HE-muh-GLOW-bun) - The substance inside red blood cells that binds
to oxygen and carries it from the lungs to the tissues
incision
(in-SIH-zhun) - A cut made in the body to perform surgery
inhalation
In medicine, refers to the act of taking a substance into the
body by breathing
laparotomy
(lap-a-RAH-toe-mee) - A surgical incision made in the wall of the
abdomen
lung
- one of a pair of organs in the
chest that supplies the body with oxygen, and removes carbon dioxide
from the body
malignant
(ma-LIG-nant) - Cancerous. Malignant tumors can invade and destroy
nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.
organ -
A part of the body that performs a specific function. For example,
the heart is an organ
pathologist
(pa-THOL-o-jist) - A doctor who identifies diseases by studying
cells and tissues under a microscope
peritoneum
(PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-um) - The tissue that lines the abdominal wall and
covers most of the organs in the abdomen
physical examination - An exam of the body to check
for general signs of disease
platelet
(PLATE-let) - A type of blood cell that helps prevent bleeding by
causing blood clots to form. Also called a thrombocyte
pleura
(PLOOR-a) - A thin layer of tissue covering the lungs and lining the
interior wall of the chest cavity. It protects and cushions the
lungs. This tissue secretes a small amount of fluid that acts as a
lubricant, allowing the lungs to move smoothly in the chest cavity
while breathing.
prognosis
(prog-NO-sis) - The likely outcome or course of a disease; the
chance of recovery or recurrence
protein
(PRO-teen) - A molecule made up of amino acids that are needed for
the body to function properly. Proteins are the basis of body
structures such as skin and hair and of substances such as enzymes,
cytokines, and antibodies
recur -
To occur again
red blood
cell - RBC. A cell that carries oxygen to all parts
of the body. Also called an erythrocyte
sedimentation rate - The distance red blood cells
travel in one hour in a sample of blood as they settle to the bottom
of a test tube. The sedimentation rate is increased in inflammation,
infection, cancer, rheumatic diseases, and diseases of the blood and
bone marrow. Also called erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
stage -
The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the
size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer, and whether
the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the
body.
surgery
(SER-juh-ree) - A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body
or to find out whether disease is present. An operation
symptom -
An indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some
examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting,
and pain
thoracoscopy
- The use of a thin, lighted tube (called an endoscope) to
examine the inside of the chest
thoracotomy
(thor-a-KAH-toe-mee) - An operation to open the chest
tissue (TISH-oo)
- A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific
function.
trachea
(TRAY-kee-uh) - The airway that leads from the larynx to the lungs.
Also called the windpipe
tumor
(TOO-mer) - An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells
divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors
may be benign (not cancerous), or malignant (cancerous). Also called
neoplasm.
white blood
cell - WBC. Refers to a blood cell that does not
contain hemoglobin. White blood cells include lymphocytes,
neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages, and mast cells. These cells
are made by bone marrow and help the body fight infection and other
diseases.
x-ray -
A type of high-energy radiation. In low doses, x-rays are used to
diagnose diseases by making pictures of the inside of the body. In
high doses, x-rays are used to treat cancer
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POSTED SEPTEMBER 29, 2005
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